4.4.1 Overview of Causal Connection Injury or Disease with Service
Causal relationship of injury or disease to service
For a claim in respect of a death, disease or injury to be accepted, the death, disease or injury needs to be causally related to the veteran's or member's VEA service. Service does not have to be the only cause however, provided that the person's service contributed to a material degree.
Relationship of Injury or Disease to Service
Service contributed to or aggravated a pre-existing condition
A pre-existing injury or disease may be accepted as defence-caused on the grounds that defence service or peacekeeping service materially contributed to, or aggravated the disease or injury. The injury or disease must be made worse permanently not just temporarily. It is likely that eligible service has aggravated the condition if:
- the member sustains further injury during eligible service such that surgical intervention is required, and/or
- the person is discharged medically unfit for further service.
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Service contributing to/aggravating condition
Occurrences of injury, disease or death that may be covered under the VEA
The VEA provides for compensation for injury, disease or death if it is linked to the veteran or member's service. These provisions also cover, in certain situations, injury, disease or death that occurs due to:
- participation in sport,
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Sporting Injuries
- travelling to and from duty,
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Travelling to and from duty
- domestic activities or incidents in live-in accommodation,
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Injuries occurring during domestic activities or live-in accommodation
- medical treatment,
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Injuries resulting from medical treatment
- attendance at social occasions.
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Attendance at social occasions
Serious default, breach of discipline or wilful act
The Commonwealth is not liable in respect of the death, injury or disease where it:
- resulted from the member's serious default or wilful act during or after eligible defence service, or
- arose from a serious breach of discipline committed by the member, or while the member was committing a serious breach of discipline.
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Serious default, breach of discipline or wilful act
Source URL: https://clik.dva.gov.au/compensation-and-support-policy-library/part-4-disability-compensation-eligibility/44-causal-connection-injury-or-disease-service/441-overview-causal-connection-injury-or-disease-service